Abuser of Elderly Veteran
A prominent personal injury attorney in San Diego, named Benjamin Israel Siminou, violently attacked an elderly, pro-American protester at the “Keeping Families Together” march on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Waterfront Park near downtown San Diego. A initial complaint was filed against him for felony, strong-arm robbery. After it was learned that he was a prominent attorney, the charge was subsequently reduced to a misdemeanor and — after a quick trial — immediately expunged from his record, thanks to the City attorney’s office, Mara Elliot.
The pro-Trump counter-protester is a long-time, pro-immigration-law-enforcement activist and an Army veteran, known as “Gadget Dan”. Dan is 75 years old and has a life-threatening medical condition (cancer). He was a fireman before he retired. Breathing the toxic fumes of firefighting may have caused his current very serious medical problem. His entire life as a fireman, veteran and activist has been spent, often at great risk to his own life, in what he feels is service to all Americans, not just one political faction.
It is not known yet, if he has serious injuries. Apparently, some of those, who are so sensitive to treatment of children, seem to have no problem at all with violent physical abuse of the sick and elderly.
UPDATE: Dan Russel died on February 27, 2022 as a result of his soft tissue cancer. See Dan Russell Obituary. Dan told me that he thought his cancer might have been caused by the chemicals he inhaled as a firefighter.
Siminou worked with a leading legal firm, but separated about six months earlier, Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, and now has his own office in Liberty Station, Siminou Appeals. Siminou is scheduled to receive a prestigious national award for one of his lawsuits in Denver next weekend from the Pound Civil Justice Institute. (Update: He is reportedly no longer scheduled to receive this award.)
At about 4:30 in this video, Siminou is seen shoving the protester down hard on the concrete sidewalk and then running away with the sign that he had just wrested away from Dan. Siminou was then tackled by several deputies. A second person, named “Julie” was arrested for vandalizing the sign. She was cited and released, also. About a dozen police and sheriff deputies witnessed the attack from close up.
The veteran was merely speaking out for immigration law enforcement in support of President Trump. He was not doing anything to provoke a violent attack. On the contrary, the far-Left, neo-Marxist and La Raza marchers heaped abuse and epithets on the veteran for about an hour before the attack.
His sign read, “Build the Wall, Enforce the Law” with two American flags mounted on it. As the veteran is led away in handcuffs for his own protection, the not-so-tolerant crowd boisterously cheers the attack and the effect it had of removing him from the scene, due to the threat of violence from the cheering crowd, itself.
The attack starts at about 4:30 in the video below.
Siminou received special treatment as an attorney and was released on his own recognizance. He did not have to spend any time in jail and did not have to pay a dime in bail. A regular citizen would have spent 4-5 days in jail on this holiday weekend. Siminou is scheduled to be arraigned on felony charges on July 9th, ironically the day after he is to be presented with a national award for his legal work. (Update: After complaints from concerned citizens, Siminou did not receive this award.)
In the end Siminou’s charges were reduced to a misdemeanor and transferred to the City Attorney’s office (Mara Elliot). Siminou only received a small fine and two days of public service. After his public service was finished his crime was expunged immediately to make it look like he never committed a crime.
The reason there are not more people, like Gadget Dan, coming out to counter-protest these so-called “save-the-children” events is the very justified fear of harassment, violence and abuse from the crowd. The feeling of collective moral superiority that many of the participants have allows them to rationalize that threats, offensive insults, name-calling and physical abuse of others are justified, even of our elderly veterans.
Well of course he got special treatment! Maybe sdpd needs calls for their special treatment of a
Felony suspect!
I believe it was the Sheriff’s department, not the SDPD that was in charge. It was on the grounds of the County Administration building, which is their territory.
Thxs for correction
I’m surprised our American vet was not charged and jailed because in CA that had been the norm since 2005 especially in sanctuary cities. There is a recent event where 2 Americans were charged with a hate crime at a pizza establishment in San Diego. Falsely accused.
60 minutes: Attorneys are immune from prosecution.
The anti-American open borders crowd doesn’t really care about people they care about power.
You got that right. I believe it was in large part organized by the San Diego Organizing Project, a Alinsky-style group of community organizers.
Alinsky taught that the goal is power. He acknowledged Lucifer in his book as a role model. Lucifer was all about seeking power, also.
I call these Rent A Protest…aka..Thugs R Us.. Soros, Obama, Hillary, Media Matters and other Commie Globalists want chaos as you say..It’s Saul Alinsky 101…divide and conquer. It’s the same motley crew that was protesting guns a while back..I was the only one protesting the anti gun nuts..same bunch of motley fools.
Lucifer still is all about power, intimidation, control, starting with temptation and working his way up to full control.
This attorney should be disbarred, after he serves his time for the assault and battery charges…..pure scum…..
Could well happen. An attorney has told me that such charges are automatically reported to the state bar.
Gadget Dan for at least 15 years has been one of the most courageous, active, civic-minded fighters against illegal immigration in San Diego. He has never feared to show up where he knew he was outnumbered. And he has never assaulted anyone or even, as I recall, used a swear word at events where we’ve stood together. Am proud to have known him, and hope he brings charges of physical assault against this lawyer.
Good luck, Democratic Party. This lawyer and the hate-spewiing, name-calling idiots in the crowd are your new poster children. Move over, Maxine Waters and Nancy Pelosi.
Well said and all true!
Have been to events Gadget Dan was protesting or confirming when it was a Patriot event.. He didn’t deserve this thuggery but it’s predictable . Marxists always resort to violence. I was lucky they didn’t do the same to me when I was counter-protesting the anti gun nut rally a while back. Where’s the Proud Boys when ya need’em?
The first page of American Bar Association will tell you why he thought he could do this!
Even as you read their mission , um yes seems this lawyer was going against thee ethics they preach. I urge contacting ABA!
https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2018/07/on_visit_to_texasbo.html
The American Bar Association Mission:
To serve equally our members, our profession and the public by defending liberty and delivering justice as the national representative of the legal profession.
The ABA achieves its mission through tireless work toward four goals.
Goal I: Serve Our Members.
Objective:
Provide benefits, programs and services which promote members’ professional growth and quality of life.
Goal II: Improve Our Profession.
Objectives:
Promote the highest quality legal education.
Promote competence, ethical conduct and professionalism.
Promote pro bono and public service by the legal profession.
Goal III: Eliminate Bias and Enhance Diversity.
Objectives:
Promote full and equal participation in the association, our profession, and the justice system by all persons.
Eliminate bias in the legal profession and the justice system.
Goal IV: Advance the Rule of Law.
Objectives:
Increase public understanding of and respect for the rule of law, the legal process, and the role of the legal profession at home and throughout the world.
Hold governments accountable under law.
Work for just laws, including human rights, and a fair legal process.
Assure meaningful access to justice for all persons.
Preserve the independence of the legal profession and the judiciary.
Dan has single handedly cleaned literally tons of garbage alongside the roadways and in the desert that has been dropped by illegal crossers and he has been doing this for well over 10 years on his own dime. He loves our Country that much! And to think that an ‘Attorney’ that supports the law breakers would assault him is beyond my understanding. Didn’t the Attorney take an oath to be an officer of the court and to uphold the law (instead of break it.)? Dan I hope you’re ok buddy, and I hope this law breaking abusive ‘attorney’ finally faces the actions that he did on that day. We support immigrants coming across LEGALLY, that’s all we ask. And for those who can’t control their behavior and anger, stay home and DO NOT attend a rally if you know you can’t control yourselves!
All the trash illegals leave when they’re invading , the habitat they destroy and wild things they kill…Where’s the EPA ?
Amen Cindy, I tire of people being let off not controlling themselves yet if you are from another group in favor of the rule of law you are arrested and surely not let off like these out of control fools are allowed to be in the name of thuggery!
If you don’t want him let off, make a small contribution to our fundraiser to hire an attorney for him. We need $2K and have $455 at this time. Just complaining about it won’t get it done. Our attorney will help make sure he is prosecuted as well as sue for an award.
Posted for Jim Gilchrist
Jim Gilchrist says:
July 18, 2018 at 5:52 pm
Dan Russell (aka “Gadget”) is a passionate and avid defender of freedom of assembly and speech, as well as an inveterate advocate of immigration law enforcement. I have known him for ten years and he is one of the most active peaceful activists bringing national attention to the rampant illegal alien invasion of the USA.
Jim Gilchrist, Founder and President, The Minuteman Project
(Jim Gilchrist’s Minuteman Project, Inc.[dba The Minuteman Project]
-a multiethnic immigration law enforcement advocacy group-
Oh the tolerant left.